Welcome to the Orioles Nation Forums! Like most online communities, you must register to post on our message board. However, posting is free--it always will be--and registration is a simple process. Become part of the growing Orioles Nation community and register now!

Matt Bywater was the Orioles’ 7th round selection in the 2010 MLB draft. He signed very close to the deadline for $195,000 and made his pro debut in 2011. He most likely would have started his career with Delmarva, but a case of the yips held him in extended spring training and the GCL and prevented him from doing so.

Bywater pitched 68.1 innings across three levels in 2012. He made five spot starts for Frederick but made the rest of his appearances out of the bullpen.

Bywater will be playing at age 24 in the 2013 season so he will need to stand out at Bowie. Left handers that can get other LHers out always seem to find jobs in baseball. but I feel certain that he wants to make it to the ML as a starter so he'll need to make a strong impression this year.

At this point both Norfolk and Bowie's rotations look like they'll be loaded so Matt should really have a strong ST if he wants to do AA as a SP.

ofahn wrote:Bywater will be playing at age 24 in the 2013 season so he will need to stand out at Bowie. Left handers that can get other LHers out always seem to find jobs in baseball. but I feel certain that he wants to make it to the ML as a starter so he'll need to make a strong impression this year.

At this point both Norfolk and Bowie's rotations look like they'll be loaded so Matt should really have a strong ST if he wants to do AA as a SP.

The minor league rotations are loaded next year...tons of jams and there is going to be a lot...a lot...of starters in bullpens. Nice problem to have though

Shorebirdfan wrote:I think with the cuts that will come between now and the season Frederick is more likely. Can't see a 3rd season on Delmarva for him.

The nice thing about our farm system at this point is that we don't have much deadwood, and the few suspect pitchers above him they recently released. I could see him starting the Season at Frederick, but I think that would come more from trades or injury than additional cuts.